Chicago is a city with a very large unsheltered population. Sometimes, we look the other way, we cross the street, we do something to divert our attention.
Getting involved in Living Outside is as simple as making a slightly different choice. When you are walking, when you see someone, can you wave? Can you say hi? What can I do to make your day a little bit brighter?
Living Outside is a nonprofit organization aimed at destigmatizing homelessness through the direct distribution of care bags. We have 19 youth-led chapters, some of which are international, we have well over 600 volunteers, and have distributed over 6,000 care bags to date.
One of the things that has helped us grow is the Jewish community. We have found such support in people being willing to donate supplies, venues, connections, partnerships. And I am constantly inspired seeing young people making a difference together.
Empathy is at the center of everything we do, and at the end of the day, we want everyone in our community to feel that they have a friend and someone they can turn to when they need support.